Dentifrice dispenser in combination with cooperating toothbrush



June 29, 1965 R. s. HAMILTON 3,191,803

DENTIFRICE DISPENSER IN COMBINATION WITH COOPERATING TOOTHBRUSH FiledJan. 6, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 34-47 ROBERT 5. HA 7v/v nvro/a Maya! 4HURNEKS June 1965 AMILT N DENTIFRICE DISPENSER IN COMBINATION WITHCOOPERATING TOOTHBRUSH Filed Jan. 6, 19

4 Sheets-s 2 I" "III l III 83 ROBERT S. HAMILTON NVENTUR' June 29, 1965R. s. HAMILTON 3 91,3 I DENTIFRIGB DISPENSER IN GOHBINATION WITHCOOPERATING TOOTHBRUSH Filed Jan. 6. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ROBERT S.HAMILTON INVN7UR June 29; 1965 R. s. HAMILTON 3,191,803

DENTIFRICE DISPENSER IN COMBINATION WITH COOPERATING TOOTHBRUSH FiledJan. 6, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 44R-/sH I COATING W I66 \i:

.. iii V \m ROBERT S. HAMILTON F I A? luvs/vim United States Patent3,191,803 DENTIFRICE DISPENSER m COMBINATION WITH COOPERATING TOOTHBRUSHRobert S. Hamilton, 5639 N. Milbrook, Fresno, Calif.

Filed Jan. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 424,461 19 Claims. (Cl. 221-200) Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of US. patent application SerialNo. 286,783, filed June 10, 1963, now abandoned. The present inventionrelates to a dentifrice dispenser in combination with a cooperatingtoothbrush adapted to operate the dispenser, including means to receivethe dispensed dentifrice at a predetermined depository location on thetoothbrush. One form of the invention particularly relates to a unitarydispenser and magazine which conveniently serves as a marketingcontainer for the dentifrice.

Previously known dentifrice packages include rigid metal containersadapter to hold a supply of finely pulverized dentifrice powder,flexible tubes designed to contain a paste dentifrice, and glass bottlesto confine and dispense a liquid dentifrice. Regardless of the type ofcontainer, or the nature of the dentifrice, the normal manner ofdispensing the dentifrice is to place the discharge orifice of thecontainer in contact with the toothbrush of a user. Hygienists recognizethat such a practice is particularly undesirable in the event thatseveral persons obtain dentifrice from the same supply container.

In addition to the un-hygienic aspects of previously known dentifricecontainers and dispensers, it is a recognized fact that such containersare subjected to distortion and breakage, particularly by children.Also, many dentifrice users do not employ an optimum quantity for mosteffective oral hygiene, which results in wasting of the dentifrice orineffective dental cleaning practices. Accordingly, previously knowndentifrice containers and dispensers have been unsatisfactory inachieving maximum economy and efiiciency in preventive dental care.

Certain types of dispensers and cooperating dentifrice supply magazineshave been known in the past, however, none have provided an integraldispensing and supply container which serves as a unitary marketingpackage. In addition, such previously designed dispensers were notadaptable to economic fabrication because of their inherent structuralcharacteristics; were not compatible with contemporary merchandisingmethods; and were incapable of coasting properly with a toothbrush toinsure uniform dispensing and spreading of the dentifrice.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide adentifrice dispenser adapted to dispense a uniform, predeterminedquantity of dentifrice so as to achieve efficient utilization thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dentifrice supplycontainer with a dispensing means in combination with a toothbrush toinsure a dispensing of a uniform quantity and accurate deposition ofsuch dispensed dentifrice on the toothbrush.

Another object is to provide in a dentifrice dispenser adapted to hold asupply of discrete particles of dentifrice, means to agitate such supplyand insure accurate dispensing of the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel dentifrice supplymagazine and dispensing apparatus therefor adapted to be engaged by atoothbrush, and including means to support the toothbrush during periodsof non-use.

Another object is to provide an integral dispensing and supply containerfor dentifrice which conveniently serves as a unitary package to enhancecustomer appeal and achieve marketing economies.

Another object is to provide such a container which Patented June 29,1965 lends itself to economical fabrication and ease of assembly.

Another object is to provide such a container which dependably maintainsthe dentifrice in an hygienic condition and in a state as packaged,while precluding entry of moisture from environmental atmosphere, suchas the humid condition existent in residential bathrooms.

A further object is to provide a toothbrush in combination with adentifrice supply and dispensing means operable by the toothbrush,including means to effect a uniform distribution of dentifrice on thetoothbrush.

These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparent uponreference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a dentifrice dispenser andtoothbrush embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the dispenser and toothbrush ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the toothbrushremoved.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary view in vertical longitudinalsection taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and showing the dispensingmechanism of the invention in a pellet receiving position.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but showing the dispensing mechanism in adispensing position, with the toothbrush fragm-entarily illustrated in areceiving position.

FIG. 6 is a view in horizontal transverse section taken on line 66 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a view in fragmentary vertical, transverse section taken online 7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an isometric View of the wall means in an unfolded,unassembled condition which, when assembled, forms the magazine employedin the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dispensing head of the apparatusillustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the toothbrush illustrated in FIGS. 1,2and 5. r FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section,similar to FIG. 4, but showing a second embodiment of the inventionadapted for dispensing and spread- I ing dentifrice on a conventionaltoothbrush, as well as the toothbrush of the first form.

FIG. 12 is a reduced scale view in vertical longitudinal section of thedispensing head of the second embodiment, and shown in an unassembledcondition as initially fabricated.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the dispensing head of the secondembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view in front elevation of a typical, somewhat spherical,pellet employed in a commercial form of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a view in side elevation of the pellet of FIG. 14.

Referring in greater particularity to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, acombined dentifrice dispenser and toothbrush holder is illustratedtherein as supporting a toothbrush subsequently to be described andadapted for specific cooperation with the dispenser of the presentinvention. The dispenser is provided with a support body generallyindicated at 10 which incorporates a mounting plate 11. T o facilitatemounting of the support body, the plate 11 is provided with atransverse, keyhole slot 12 adapted to receive the shank of a mountingscrew 13. The plate 11 is also provided with a transverse bore 14,longitudinally'spaced from the keyhole slot 12 and having a slightlyflared outward opening for the flush reception of the head of a mountingscrew-l5. A Wall is fragmentarily illustrated at 16 into which thescrews 13' and 3 are secured to maintain the support body 10 in avertically upright position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support body 10 isprovided with a pair of laterally opposed, substantially identicalbrackets 20. The brackets extend forwardly from the mounting plate 11and are provided with a plurality of spaced, individual fingers 21,which thereby define receiving slots 22, each adapted to admit atoothbrush 23. Although the slots 22 of the brackets are adapted tosupport toothbrushes of conventional design, the dispenser of thepresent invention is more specifically intended to be used incombination with a toothbrush embodying the principles of the presentinvention and described in greater detail below. A lower guide plate 24is provided with an upper surface 25 and is integrally joined to theforward opposed brackets 20 to define a path of travel for thetoothbrush 23 during operation of dispensing means to be describedbelow.

A magazine rack is forwardly outwardly projected from the mounting plate10 and joined to the brackets 20. The magazine rack includes a pair oflaterally opposed walls 31 joined at their lower forward end by adistributor plate 32 provided with a beveled wiping edge 33. Therelationship of the distributor plate and wiping edge to the guide plate24 can be seen most clearly by reference to FIG. 1. Each of the opposedwalls 31 is provided with inwardly directed flanges to retain a magazine34 of rectangular form within the rack 30. The walls 31 are eachprovided with an upwardly opening notch 35 to facilitate insertion andremoval of the magazine 34. The magazine is adapted to contain aplurality of individual pellets 36, such as the one illustrated indashed lines in FIG. 1.

The individual pellets need not necessarily be of sphericalconfiguration, but may be of any substantially regular form having asmooth peripheral surface to facilitate gravitational movement towardthe lower portion of the magazine when supported in a substantiallyvertical position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the present invention,each of the pellets 36 is fabricated of a suitable dentifrice andprovided with a surface coating capable of maintaining the generalconfiguration of the pellet as fabricated. Examples of suitablematerials are commercially available powdered dentifrice compressed inpellet form with or without a surface glaze and any commerciallyavailable toothpaste of sufiiciently high viscosity and provided with aglazed surface coating to assist maintenance of the desiredcircumferential configuration. Other suitable pellet forms andcompositions will readily occur to those skilled in pharmaceuticalpreparations.

The structural details of the magazine 34 are most clearly shown inFIGS. 4-9. The magazine includes an outer wall 40, shown in an unfolded,unassernbled condition in FIG. 8. The wall is provided with opposedupper end flaps 41 and 42 and a closing top flap 43, all of which areindividually hingedly joined to the side wall portion of the'outer wall40. An elongated agitator leaf 44 is joined at its upper portion to thewall 4% by means of a web 45; The wall 40 includes terminal joiningpanels 46 and 47 which are rigidly secured to each other by a suitableadhesive, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. To facilitate properfunctioning of the agitator leaf 44, the proximal upper end .48 thereofis also adhered to the joining panel 46 while the distal end 49 isdisposed internally of the magazine 34 and adapted to engage the supplyof pellets 36.

The lower end of the magazine 34, when considered in operating position,as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, is adapted to be closed by a dispensinghead 50 illustrated sepanately in FIG. 9. The dispensing head is Thehead 50 includes a pair of laterally opposed side walls 51 and 52 joinedat their rearward edges by -a web 53 and at their lower forward edges bya closure plate 54. The plate 54 is upwardly extended a sufficientdistance to be joined to the panel 46 of the wall means 49. A pair oflaterally opposed guide rails 55 are rearwardly extended from the plate54. A rear wall 56 is sloped downwardly, inwardly to form a deliverychute and terminates at a forward edge '57, thereby to define adischarge orifice for the magazine in combination with the distal end 49of the agitator leaf 44. Such relationship is more clearly illustratedin FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

' As a metering means to dispense the dentifrice pellets 36, dispensingslide 6! is mounted for fore and aft reciprocal movement along a path oftravel defined by the closure plate 54 in conjunction with the guiderails 55. The slide 69 is provided with an open charging chamber 61,which, in the form of the invention illustrated, is a cylindrical bore.As shown in FIG. 4, the charging chamber 61 is indexed immediatelybeneath the discharge orifice 58 of the magazine when the slide 69 is ina forward charging position. A return spring 62 is anchored at 63 to therear web 53 and engages a spring seat 64 provided on the slide 60. Aforward agitator finger 65' is upwardly integrally extended from theslide 60 and inserted forwardly of the leaf 44. This arrangementfacilitates actuation of the agitator leaf upon movement of the slide 60from the charging position shown in FIG. 4 to a dispensing positionillustrated in FIG. 5.

An operating lever depends from the rearward end of the slide 69 and isintegrally joined thereto to facilitate movement of the slide from acharging position to a dispensing position. A closure plate 71 extendsforwardly from the lever to close a delivery slot 72 defined by theguide rails 55 and the plate 54. When the slide 60 is moved to arearward dispensing position, the delivery slot is opened by reason ofthe closure plate 71 also being moved rearwardly. To facilitateengagement of the operating lever 70 by the toothbrush 23, laterallyspaced forwardly projecting guide flanges 73 are integrally joined tothe lever 7%.

The details of the toothbrush 23 are more clearly evident in FIGS. 5 and10 wherein a handle 81 is integrally joined to a brushing head 82. Thehead is provided with a plurality of upstanding bristles 33 ofsubstantially predetermined length surrounding a group of similarbristles 84 which are shorter than said predetermined length.Accordingly, the shorter bristles surrounded by the longer bristlesforms a depository cavity which is dimensioned relative to the size andconfiguration of the pellets 36 so as to receive a single pellet.

The cavity 85 is located on the toothbrush head 82 so that the cavity isindexed immediately below the delivery slot 72 when the head of thetoothbrush engages the operating lever 76 and moves along a path oftravel rearwardly toward the mounting plate 11 to eifect movement of theslide 60 to a dispensing position, as shown in FIG. 5. The relativedimensions of the shorter bristles 84 as well as the elevational spacingbetween the wiping plate 32 and the upper surface 25 of the guide plate24 are so arranged and constructed that upon movement of the toothbrush23 forwardly in withdrawal movement away from the operating lever '70,the pellet 36 resting in the cavity 85 is engaged by the beveled wipingedge 33 to effect a substantially uniform spreading and distributing ofthe dentifrice over the longer bristles 83 rearwardly in the path oftravel of such withdrawal movement.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subjectinvention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarizedat this point. After the magazine 34 has been fabricated by folding thewall means 46 in a rectangular form and rigidly secured to the dispenserhead 50, a supply of individual dentifrice pellets 36 is placed in themagazine through the upper opening, normally closed by the top flap 43.The closed magazine is, of course, marketed in such filled and closedcondition. The magazine is then inserted between the opposed walls 31 ofthe magazine rack 34), so as to be supported in a substantially verticalposition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, wherein the pellets 36are gravitationally urged toward the discharge orifice 58.

As the initial step in performing personal dental cleansing with thedispenser and toothbrush of the present invention, the brushing head 82of the toothbrush 23 is inserted between the distributing plate 32 andthe guide plate 24. So that the toothbrush head 82 is supported at aproper elevation, it is rested upon the upper surface 25 of the guideplate 24. Rearward movement of the toothbrush along the fore and aftpath of travel defined by the laterally opposed brackets 20 inconjunction with the guide plate 24, effects a movement of the operatinglever 70. The forwardly extended guide flanges 73 insure the centrallocation of the depository cavity 85 relative to the dispensing head 50so that it is disposed immediately below the delivery slot '72 and thechamber 61, when the dispensing slide 60 is in a rearward, dispensingposition.

It will be noted that during movement of the slide 60 from the receivingposition shown, wherein the slide 60 blocks the passageway between themagazine 34 and the delivery slot 72, in FIG. 4 to the dispensingposition shown in FIG. 5, the agitator leaf 44 is moved into engagementwith the supply of pellets 36 remaining in the magazine, thereby toeffect a mechanical agitation thereof. This agitation insures that, uponthe return of the slide 60 to a receiving charging position, a singlepellet will gravitationally pass through the discharge orifice 58 intothe open charging chamber 61. In the event of extremely high humidityexisting in the area in which the dispenser is installed, such as thebathroom of a family residence, the dentifrice pellets have a tendencyto adhere to each. Accordingly, the agitator leaf 44 is most effectiveto insure that a pellet is received in the charging chamber upon areturn of the slide to a forward receiving position.

Assuming that a supply of pellets have been placed in the magazine, andthat the slide 69 is in a forward receiving position, a single pelletwill pass through the discharge orifice 53 and rest in the open chargingchamber 61, which is closed at its lower end by the plate 54. Subsequentengagement of the operating lever 70 by the toothbrush and movement ofthe slide to a dispensing position, as shown in FIG. 5, permitsdispensing of such a single pellet upon the toothbrush and depositing ofsuch pellet in the cavity 85.

After a pellet has been dispensed into the cavity 85, as illustrated inFIG. 5, withdrawal of the toothbrush 23 along the path of travel definedby the guide plate 24 and the opposed brackets 29 results in a strikingof the beveled wiping edge 33 of the distributor plate 32 by thatportion of the pellet 36 projecting above the elevation of such plate.Consequently, withdrawal movement of the toothbrush away from theoperating lever 70 simultaneously causes a uniform spreading of thedentifrice contained in the pellet 36 along the bristles 83 rearwardlyof the pellet in the path of Withdrawal movement. It will be observedthat none of the longer bristles come into actual contact with thedistributor plate 32 so that the un-hygicnic aspects of the common, orfamily, toothpaste tube are not present in the dispenser of the subjectinvention.

In addition to sanitary, hygienic dispensing of dentifrice, the presentinvention permits an economy of utilization not attainable withpreviously known dentifrice containers and dispensers. Regardless of thesupply quantity, a uniform amount is dispensed each time the operatinglever 70 is actuated by the toothbrush, such quantity beingpredetermined to satisfy the dental needs of average users. Accordingly,the full supply of dentifrice is available for use and such supply iseconomically dispensed in uniform amounts by the present invention.

In addition to hygienic, economic dispensing and uniform spreading ofthe dentifrices on the toothbrush, the dispenser provides for adequatestorage of the toothbrush during periods of non-use. Followingconventional brush cleaning practices, the toothbrush 23 is inserted inone of the receiving slots 22 and rested upon a support bracket 20, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a dispenser adapted to holdan adequate supply of dentifrice, capable of economical accuratedispensing of such supply in uniform quantities, distributing thedentifrice over the bristles of the toothbrush, and also serving as aresting support of the brush following the use thereof.

Second form of invention A second embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11wherein a combination magazine and dispenser is shown at 134, whichincorporates a distributor plate for individual dentifrice pellets 136held in the supply magazine. The magazine for the pellets is formed byan outer wall 140 having an initial configuration substantially similarto that of the first form shown in FIG. 8, except that closure flaps areprovided at both ends of the resulting magazine. The wall is providedwith opposite upper end flaps 141 and 142 and a closing top flap 143,all of which are individually hingedly joined to the side wall portionof the outer wall 149. An elongated agitator leaf 144 is joined at itsupper portion to the wall 140 by means of a web, not visible in FIG. 11.The Wall 146 also includes terminal joining panels 146 and 147 which areshown in overlying relation in FIG. 11, with the magazine in anassembled condition. To facilitate proper functioning of the agitatorleaf 144, the proximal upper end 148 thereof is adhered to the joiningpanel 146 during assembly, while the distal end 149 is disposedinternally of the magazine 134 and adapted to engage the supply ofpellets 136.

The Wall 140 is preferably formed of a suitably rigid chip boardmaterial and is coated with a thermoplastic substance, such aspolyvinyl, to facilitate welding of the joining panels 146, 147 duringassembly of the magazine 134. Other suitable materials will readilyoccur to those skilled in the art of fabricating containers fromnonmetallic materials, however, the thermoplastic material selected fora surface coating must be capable of being welded at a temperature belowthe melting and/ or charring temperature of the material from which theside wall 140 is formed. The exterior surface of the side wall 140 isimprinted with suitable labeling legends and coated with a varnish toenhance customer appeal, thereby not requiring additional externalpackaging. This facilitates an economy of fabrication and merchandisingdistribution of the dentifrice product.

As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, a dispensing head150 is formed of a suitable thermoplastic material and dimensioned to bereceived in the open end of the magazine formed by side wall 140. Thedispensing head 150 is provided with opposed side walls 151, 152 whichare substantially parallel, but terminate in respective upper edges atunequal levels. The side walls provide respective beveled edgesangularly related to each other. Stated differently, the laterallyopposed side walls are of an unequal height and terminate in respectiveupper edges arranged in non-parallel relation. This construction issubstantially similar to that shown in FIG. 9 of the first form, and isso configured to enhance agitation of the pellets during gravitationaldispensing and thereby prevent bridging of the delivery throatand'dispensing orifice by the pellets.

The side walls 151, 152 are joined by a web 153 at the rear of thedispensing head. A closure plate 154 is mounted integrally with thedispensing head 150 and joined to the web 153 by a flexible, attenuatedmembrane 155. This permits molding of the head in one piece andeconomizes in assembly costs. The plate is provided with a pair oflaterally projecting opposite lugs 156, each adapted for respectivereception in a recess 157 provided in each of the walls 151, 152. Abeveled distributor plate 158 extends downwardly from the closure plate154, when in an assembled position, as shown in FIG. 11. The distributorplate 158 affords a downwardly facing surface 159 adapted to contact adentifrice pellet 136 and force it into the bristles of a cooperatingtoothbrush, while concurrently effecting spreading of the pelletthereon. A slot 160 is formed in the closure plate 154 and is defined bylaterally opposed guide rails 161.

The side walls 151, 152 are joined by a forward web 162, which serves tolimit forward movement of a metering and dispensing slide to bedescribed below. A sloping rearward wall 163 is secured to the sidewalls and extends forwardly downwardly between a pair of laterallyopposed dimension control plates 164, 165, which define a dischargethroat in conjunction with the sloping rearward wall 163 and the lowerend 149 of agitator leaf 144. The throat terminates in a dischargeorifice indicated at 166 in FIG. 11, as an escape passage for theindividual dentifrice pellets 136.

The dispensing head 159 is fabricated of a thermoplastic material havingsubstantially the same melting temperature as the coating provided onthe chip board wall 140 of the magazine. Preferably, the dispensing headis formed of the same material, such as polyvinyl, so that assembly andfabrication of the integral magazine and dispensing unit is permitted byconventional plastic welding techniques. Accordingly, the temperature ofthe coating is raised to permit welding of the magazine to thedispensing head 150.

. A metering and dispensing slide 170 is formed of a material having ahigher melting temperature than that of the dispensing head, to avoidundesirable bonding of these component parts during the welding of thedispensing head to the magazine wall. A material found to besatisfactory is polyurethane. The slide 170 is formed with a chargingchamber 171 which is indexed immediately beneath the discharge orifice166 when the slide is in a forward charging position in contact with theforward web 162. A resilient return finger 172 is integrally rearwardlyextended from the slide, and engages the rear web 153 of the dispensinghead. In the position shown in FIG. 11, the rear finger 172 is slightlyflexed so as to urge the slide forwardly and maintain it in the chargingposition, as shown. The finger is of sufficient resiliency to permitmovement of the slide to a rearward dispensing position, susbtantiallyidentical to that of the first form shown in FIG. 5. Since thedispensing mechanism provided in the integral dispensing and marketingpackage of this second form is intended for operation only during adefinitely limited service life, the slide 1719 and dispensing head 150can be fabricated of inexpensive materials and designed for anapproximate service life of 100 to 150 cycles of operation.

The dispensing slide 170 is provided with an upwardly extending forwardagitator finger 173 having a beveled entry point 174. This configurationfacilitates assembly of the dispensing head and the magazine, While theslide is carried internally of the head, so as to insure properpositioning of the agitator finger 173 forwardly of the distal end 149of the agitator leaf 144. An operating lever 175 is downwardlyintegrally extended frorn'the slide 176, and is adapted to be'engaged bya toothbrush, such as that shown in FIG. 10, or by a conventionalcontemporary toothbrush.

The wall 140 of the magazine 134 is provided with opposed lower endflaps 180, 181 and a closing bottom flap 182. When closed and sealed, asby heat welding, these flaps provide an upper guide surface 18?:disposed at a predetermined distance below the distributor plate 158.The downward extension of the wall 14% is provided with a removableportion 184 to form a notch-like opening 185. The removable portion isshown in dashed lines in EEG. 11, and conventional practices areemployed in defining the notches by weakened areas in the wall 141). Tofacilitate mounting of the integral magazine and dispenser 134 on asuitable surface, such as a residential wall, an adhesive coating 186 isprovided on the rear wall of the magazine and protected by a removablecellophane strip 187.

A conventional toothbrush indicated at 1% can be utilized with theintegral magazine and dispenser 134. The toothbrush is provided with theusual handle 191 and a plurality of tufts of bristles 192 affording adepository surface 193.

Operation of second form The magazine 134 is formed of the wall 149 in amanner similar to that of the first form, except that the dispensinghead 150, complete with slide 170, is first assembled and insertedwithin the enclosure formed by the wall 140. The design of thedispensing head permits in sertion of the slide 17% prior to swinging ofthe closure plate 154 in the direction of the dashed line of FIG. 12.The cooperating locking lugs 156 and recesses 157 insure retention ofthe slide in an assembled position within the dispensing head. Theresilient return finger 172 urges the slide toward a forward chargingposition shown in 1 16.11.

The assembled dispensing head is then inserted within the magazinechamber formed by the enclosing wall 140. The beveled entry point 174 ofthe agitator finger 173 is disposed forwardly of the agitator leaf 144,so that reciprocal movement of the slide toward and from a dispensingposition effects mechanical agitation of the pellets 135. With thedispensing head so positioned, the terminal fiaps 146, 147 are bondedtogether, as by heat Welding of the polyvinyl surface coating.Concurrently, the dispensing head is Welded to the wall 140, by reasonof the inner surface coating of polyvinyl. It is to be noted that such adesign and fabrication forms a hermeticaily sealed magazine chamber withthe top flap 143 closed and the dispensing slide in the forward positionas shown in FIG. 11. Consequently, even prolonged storage of the pelletsin a humid environment precludes adhesion of the pellets or possibledisintegration due to moisture absorption.

At the initial packaging, the lower end flaps 181 181 and bottom closureflap 182 are also sealed to provide a unitary magazine and dispensingcontainer. With a supply of pellets packed in the magazine chamber, thecontainer conveniently serves as a marketing package. Accordingly, nopermanently installed dispensing mechanism is required, and theparticular design of the magazine and dispensing apparatus permits aneconomy of fabrication and merchandising. The lack of such an economy inpreviously available dentifrice dispensing apparatus financiallyprohibited their use and denied them commercial success.

The magazine 134 is merchandised in the configuration as shown in P16.11, except that the removable portion 184 remains intact until removedby a purchaser. The protective cellophane strip 187 is removed afterpurchase, and the magazine is mounted on a supporting surface, such as amedicine cabinet or wall structure by means of the adhesive coating 186.Following removal of wall portion 184, the toothbrush 19% or the brushshown in FIG. 10, is inserted with the head portion of the handle 191 incontact with the upper guide surface 183 of the magazine 134. Engagementof the operating lever by the toothbrush urges the slide rearwardly to adispensing position, wherein the charging chamber 171 is no longerblocked by the upper surface of 'the distributor plate 1555.Consequently, the pellet 136 is gravitationally deposited on the surface193 afforded by the bristles 192. Refraction of the brush causes thepellet 136 resting thereon to contact the lower beveled surface 159 ofthe 9 distributor plate 158. Further retraction of the brush urges thepellet downwardly into the bristles, and, depend-ing upon the viscosityand coating of the pellet 136, effects a spreading of the pellet overthe bristles.

Concurrently with such retraction of the toothbrush, the resilientfinger 1'72 urges the dispensing slide 170 to a forward chargingposition. Since the agitator finger 173 is forwardly of the agitatorleaf 144, reciprocal movement of the slide insures mechanical agitationof the pellets within the magazine. Upon movement of the slide 170toward the forward charging position, as shown in FIG. 11, the pelletsare permitted to move under the in fiuence of gravity downwardly throughthe discharge throat defined by the sloping Wall 163, the distal end 149of the agitator leaf, and the dimension control plates 164, 165.

Even with spherically configured pellets as shown in the first form ofthe invention, there is a tendency for such pellets to bridge thethroat, merely by reason of the aggregate weight of the pellets in themagazine and the co efficient of friction between contiguous pellets.With pellets such as those illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, which arebeing used commercially, the bridging problem is aggravated. It wasfound to be impractical to form the pellets in spheres, and theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 was selected to accommodatepractical limitations in the forming punch and die. With a supply ofpellets so configured, bridging of the discharge throat of the dispenseralways occurred, unless the dispensing head of the present invention wasused, which insures positive mechanical agitation by reason of thevariation in elevation of the upper edges of the side walls which definethe discharge throat. By designing the side walls 151, 152 of thedispensing head with respective beveled upper edges disposed atdifferent levels, additional mechanical agitation of the pellets isprovided as they progress downwardly into the discharge throat. Thisprevents mechanical bridging of the throat by the pellets. The fact thatsuch upper beveled edges are angularly related to each other imparts acompound downward spiral motion of the pellets, whieh further enhancesmechanical agitation thereof and absolutely precludes bridging of thepellets under normal operating conditions. This mechanical agitation ispresent in both forms of the invention, and is particularly desirable inthe second form, since the magazine and dispensing apparatus is formedin an integral package.

Accordingly, the present invention .provides an integral magazine anddispensing mechanism for dentifrice pellets which permits an economy ofmerchandising and dependability in use heretofore not obtainable. Theinvention is equally well suited for use with the toothbrush having acavity formed in the bristles thereof, as well as with conventionaltoothbrushes providing the usual depository surface on the bristles.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what areconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A dentifrice dispensing apparatus comprising an integral wall of aconfiguration adapted to be folded and assembled to form an enclosingmagazine and provided with opposite upper and lower closure flaps; adispensing head disposed internally of the magazine and providing adischarge throat terminating in an orifice permitting passage of asingle dentifrice pellet; a supply of pellets carried within themagazine; a metering means carried by the magazine and adapted forreciprocal movement between charging and dispensing positions, saidmetering means having an operating lever engageable by a toothbrush; anda removable portion of said side wall closing an access openingpermitting entry of a toothbrush for engagement with said actuatinglever.

2. A dentifrice dispensing apparatus comprising a hermetically sealedmagazine formed by an enclosing wall and defining a supply chamber for aplurality of pellets and a dispensing chamber; dispensing means mountedwithin the magazine and dividing the internal cavity of the containerinto said supply and dispensing chambers; and metering means carried bysaid dispensing means for engagement with a toothbrush, said meteringmeans mounted for reciprocal movement to and from a dispensing positionand having a charging chamber arranged to permit individualgravitational depositing of said pellets on the toothbrush uponengagement of the metering means thereby and movement to said dispensingposit-ion.

3. A dentifrice dispensing apparatus comprising an enclosing wall ofsubstantially impervious material and arranged in a configuration toform a supply magazine; a thermoplastic substance covering said wall toform a surface coating; a dispensing head dimensioned to be receivedwithin said wall when formed into an enclosing magazine structure, saiddispensing head being fabricated of a thermoplastic material compatiblewith said coating material and having a substantially identical meltingtemperature, the magazine wall and said dispensing head being thermally.bonded to form a unitary structure; and a dispensing slide carried bysaid dispensing head, and formed of a material having a meltingtemperature substantially higher than said coating material.

4. In a dentifrice dispensing apparatus, the combination of a supplymagazine containing a plurality of dentifrice pellets; .and a dispensinghead adapted to be fitted to said magazine to serve as a dividing Walltherein and define one of the limits of a sup-ply chamber therein, saiddispensing head having laterally opposed side walls defining a dischargethroat, said side walls extending upwardly to terminate in respectiveupper edges arranged at respective unequal heights in the supply chamberto efiect mechanical agitation of the pellets during gravitationalmovement thereof into said throat.

5. The dentifrice dispensing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said upperedges are angularly related to each other.

6. The dispensing apparatus of claim 4 wherein one of said upper edgesis disposed substantially horizontally and the other is inclined withrespect to a horizontal plane, when the supply magazine is disposed inan upright, substantially vertical operative position.

7. A unitary dentifrice supply magazine and dispensing apparatuscomprising an enclosing wall formed to define a supply chamber therein;a dispensing head disposed in circumscribed relation to said wall anddefining one of the limits of said chamber, the dispensing head having abody portion including opposed side walls and fore and afterinterconnecting web portions, a bottom closure plate hingedly connectedto one of said web portions, and interfitting means carried respectivelyby said closure plate and the body portion to maintain said closureplate in an assembled closed position; a dispensing slide adapted to bepartially received within said dispensing head and having an extendingactuating lever; said closure plate having a slot through which saidactuating lever extends when in an assembled position; and a, guidesurface carried by said magazine for supporting a toothbrush at apredetermined elevation during reciprocal movement therealong to 0perate said dispensing slide.

8. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 7 where in said closureplate carries a distributor plate spaced above said guide surface apredetermined distance to urge a pellet downwardly into the toothbrushduring withdrawal thereof away from said actuating lever.

9. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said closureplate supports said slide for reciprocal movement between dispensing andcharging positions.

10. A dentifrice dispensing apparatus comprising an i l integral wall ofa configuration permitting folding and assembly of the wall to form anenclosing magazine having a chamber containing a supply of dentifricepellets and oriented in a substantially vertical normal operatingposition, said wall having an agitator leaf extended therefrom anddisposed internally of the magazine for engagement of the pellets; adispensing head mounted internally of the magazine and secured to saidwell intermediate the upper and lower limits thereof, the head having abody portion including laterally opposed side walls defining a dischargethroat and terminated to form a lower discharge orifice, said side wallsextending upwardly to terminate in respective upper edges arranged atrespective different elevation levels in the supply chamber to effectmechanical agitation of the pellets during gravitational movementthereof into said throat, fore and aft Web portions interconnecting saidside Walls, a bottom closure plate hingedly connected to one of said webportions and having a slot formed therein, and interfitting meanscarried respectively by said closure plate and the body portion tomaintain said closure plate in an assembled closed position; adispensing slide adapted to be partially received within the dispensinghead and having an extending actuating lever, the slide being mounted onthe closure plate in an assembled position with said lever extendedthrough said slot for engagementby a toothbrush, the slide having aresilient portion in engagement with one of the web portions of saiddispensing head and having an agitator finger disposed adjacent to theother of said web portions for engagement of the agitator leaf uponmovement of the slide to a dispensing position and release of the fingerupon being urged to a charging position by said resilient portion, theslide having a charging chamber disposed below said discharge orificewhen in said charging position; said wall being extended beyond thelower limits of said dispensing head to form a hermetically sealedpackage and having a removable portion to provide an opening in thewall, when removed, to permit access to the actuating lever by atoothbrush, the wall terminating at the lower end in a closure flapproviding a surface of support for said toothbrush; and a distributorplate carried by said dispensing head to urge a dentifrice pellet intosaid toothbrush following dispensing of a pellet and during withdrawalof the brush.

11. The dentifrice dispensing apparatus of claim wherein said agitatorleaf is provided with a free distal end disposed in said dischargethroat for mechanical agitation of the pellets during movement of theslide in a direction toward a dispensing position and said distal end isurged in an opposite direction by the gravitational movement of thepellets into said throat upon return of the slide to said chargingposition.

12. The dispensing apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of the upper edgesof said side walls defining the throat is disposed substantiallyhorizontally and the other is inclined with respect to a horizontalplane, when the supply magazine is oriented in said normal operatingposition.

13. In combination with a toothbrush having bristles providing a pelletreceiving cavity; an apparatus for dispensing dentifrice in the form ofpellets comprising a support body having a rack, a toothbrush guidechannel disposed beneath the rack, and a discharge passage communicatingbetween the rack and the channel; means mounted in the rack of the bodyfor delivering dentifrice pellets to the passage; metering means mountedin the body between the dentifrice delivering means and the channel forreciprocal movement between predetermined dispensing andpassage-blocking positions; and toothbrush engageable means disposed inthe channel having controlling connection to the metering means adaptedto move said metering means from blocking to dispensing position inresponse to toothbrush engagement, the said passage being in such spacedrelation to said toothbrush engageable means and the toothbrush beingproportioned relative to such spacing so that said receiving cavity is amagazine containing dentifrice pellets removably mounted in the rack ofthe housing having an orifice in registry with the passage; meteringmeans mounted in the body between the magazine and the channel forreciprocal movement between predetermined dispensing andpassage-blocking positions; resilient means mounted in the housingurging the metering means into a blocking position; and toothbrushengageable means disposed in the channel having controlling connectionto the metering means and being adapted to move said metering means froma blocking to a dispensing position in response to toothbrush insertioninto the channel, said engageable means being disposed relative to saidpassage when the metering means has been moved to the dispensingposition and the toothbrush being proportioned relative to suchdisposition so that the receiving cavity is disposed in registry withthe passage when the toothbrush is in engagement with said engageablemeans while maintaining said dispensing position.

15. Dentifrice dispensing apparatus comprising a support body; a supplymagazine having a discharge orifice therein and adapted to hold a supplyof individual dentifrice pellets so that the pellets are gravitationallyurged toward the orifice; the magazine having a Wall member providing aflexible leaf extending therefrom and affording a movable end disposedadjacent to said orifice; means mounting the magazine on the body;dispensing means operatively associated with the magazine and adapted todispense said pellets in single units upon movement of said means to adispensing position; and operating means extended from said magazine andconnected to the dispensing means to move said dispensing means to saiddispensing position; and agitator means operatively connected to saidoperating means to effect mechanical agitation of said leaf and saidsupply of pellets during movement of the dispensing means toward adispensing position.

16. In combination, dentifrice dispensing apparatus comprising a supportbody; a supply magazine mounted on the body and adapted to hold a supplyof discrete dentifrice pellets; means operatively associated with themagazine and adapted to dispense said pellets in single units uponmovement of said means to a dispensing position; operating meansextended from said magazine and connected to said dispensing means, saidoperating means being engageable by a toothbrush head to move thedispensing means to a dispensing position; a toothbrush having a headadapted to engage the operating means and being provided with aplurality of upstanding bristles of substantially uniform predeterminedlength surrounding a group of similar bristles shorter than said lengththereby to form a depository cavity, said bristles and dispensing meansbeing arranged so that a single pellet is deposited in said cavity uponengagement of said operating means and movement of said dispensing meansto a dispensing position; guide means mounted on the body and defining apath of travel for the toothbrush head at a predetermined elevationduring movement toward the operating means, actuation thereof, andwithdrawal therefrom; and dentifrice distributing means mounted on thebody in elevationally spaced relationship to said guide means so that apellet so deposited in the, cavity of the toothbrush is engaged by thedistributing means during withdrawal movement of the toothbrush anddistributed over said surrounding bristles rearwardly of the pellet inthe path of movement during withdrawal.

17. A dentifrice dispensing apparatus comprising a support body; asupply magazine having a discharge orifice therein and adapted to hold asupply of individual dentifrice pellets so that the pellets aregravitationally urged toward the orifice; means mounting the magazine onthe body; means connected to the magazine and adapted to receive singlepellets from said discharge orifice and to dispense a single pellet uponmovement of said means to a dispensing position; toothbrush engageableoperating means extended from the magazine and connected to thedispensing means to move said means to said dispensing position; guidemeans carried on the body and adapted to support a toothbrush inengagement with said operating means in a receiving position below saiddispensing means when in said dispensing position and for reciprocalmovement toward and from said position; and a distributor plate carriedin fixed position on said body having a surface extended downwardly andaway from the dis pensing position and adapted to contact and to spreada discharged pellet on a toothbrush when said toothbrush is moved awayfrom said operating means along the path of travel defined by said guidemeans.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said distributor plate is providedwith a downwardly facing beveled edge to effect a gradual compressionand spreading of the pellet as said toothbrush is moved away from saidoperating means.

19. In combination, dentifrice dispensing apparatus comprising a supportbody; a supply magazine mounted in the body and having confining wallmeans adapted to hold a supply of discrete dentifrice pellets and havinga discharge orifice; a dispensing head secured to the magazine includinga dispensing slide provided with a charging chamber having open upperand lower ends and adapted to receive a single pellet at a time; meansmounting the slide in the head for reciprocal movement between areceiving position wherein the charging chamber is disposed below saiddischarge orifice gravitationally to receive a pellet and a dischargingposition; a plate closing the lower end of said chamber when the slideis in a receiving position; said dispensing head being provided with adelivery slot located beneath said open charging chamber when the slideis in the discharging position; biasing means carried in the head andurging the slide toward said receiving position; operating meansextended from said slide outwardly from the head and engageable to movethe slide to said discharging posi tion; a toothbrush having a headadapted to engage said operating means and being provided with aplurality of upstanding bristles of substantially uniform predeterminedlength surrounding a group of similar bristles of shorter length therebyforming an upwardly disposed cavity, said bristles being arranged on thetoothbrush head in relation to said delivery slot to dispose the cavitydirectly beneath the slot when the slide is in a discharging position sothat a single pellet is deposited in said cavity upon engagement of saidoperating means by the toothbrush and movement of said dispensing meansto the dispensing position; guide means mounted on the body and defininga path of travel for the toothbrush head at a predetermined spacedrelation to the plate during movement toward and from said dispensingposition; and dentifrice distributing means mounted on the body in fixedelevationally spaced relationship to said guide means having a surfaceextended downwardly and away from the dispensing position so that apellet so deposited in the cavity of the toothbrush is engaged by thedistributing means during withdrawal movement of the toothbrush anddistributed over said surrounding bristles rearwardly of the pelletrelative to the path of movement of the toothbrush during withdrawal.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 462,374 4/89Williams 22l--264 1,607,014 11/26 Moak 221264 1,678,355 7/28 Roberts221--204 1,995,374 3/35 Young 221267 2,128,488 8/38 Koerner 2221812,726,016 12/55 Anderson 222181 RAE HAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

17. A DENTIFRICE DISPENSING APPARATUS COMPRISING A SUPPORT BODY; ASUPPLY MAGAZINE HAVING A DISCHARGE ORIFICE THEREIN AND ADAPTED TO HOLD ASUPPLY OF INDIVIDUAL DENTIFRICE PELLETS SO THAT THE PELLETS AREGRAVITATIONALLY URGED TOWARD THE ORIFICE; MEANS MOUNTING THE MAGAZINEAND ON THE BODY; MEANS CONNECTED TO THE MAGAZINE AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVESINGLE PELLETS FROM SAID DISCHARGE ORIFICE AND TO DISPENSE A SINGLEPELLETS FROM SAID DISCHARGE ORIMEANS TO A DISPENSING POSITION;TOOTHBRUSH ENGAGEABLE OPERATING MEANS EXTENDED FROM THE MAGAZINE ANDCONNECTED TO THE DISPENSING MEANS TO MOVE SAID MEANS TO SAID DISPENSINGPOSITION; GUIDE MEANS CARRIED ON THE BODY AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT ATOOTHBRUSH IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID OPERATING MEANS IN A RECEIVINGPOSITION BELOW SAID DISPENSING MEANS WHEN IN SAID DISPENSING POSITIONAND FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT TOWARD AND FROM SAID POSITION; AND ADISTRIBUTOR PLATE CARRIED IN FIXED POSITION ON SAID BODY HAVING ASURFACE EXTENDED DOWNWARDLY AND AWAY FROM THE DISPENSING POSITION ANDADAPTED TO CONTACT AND TO SPREAD A DISCHARGED PELLET ON A TOOTHBRUSHWHEN SAID TOOTHBRUSH IS MOVED AWAY FROM SAID OPERATING MEANS ALONG THEPATH OF TRAVEL DEFINED BY SAID GUIDE MEANS.